Chamber Orchestra of Europe

Daniel Hope’s second album for DG finds him reunited with the esteemed Chamber Orchestra of Europe for their third partnership in the recording studio. Hope made his DG debut with Mendelssohn; he now turns his attention to Vivaldi with a selection of the composer’s greatest violin concertos. When presented by passionate, energetic performers this music is guaranteed to provide an uplifting and entertaining listening experience.

Hope and his band play on modern instruments, but in period style, a method they previously perfected in their acclaimed recording of Bach concertos (Warner). This recording attracted a remarkable amount of critical acclaim: “Modern-instrument Bach may not be fashionable, but these alert, fresh accounts of much-recorded concertos have all the zing and brio we expect from period ensembles.” (The Sunday Times)

Replace Bach with Vivaldi and the above quote anticipates what will be next. Vivacity and humour combine with Vivaldi’s timeless appeal for a best-selling formula.

The Creation (1798) and The Seasons (1801) are two works of unique artistic excellence. In them Haydn combined the theatrical gestures of Handel's oratorios with elements of his own symphonic style.

Both The Creation and The Seasons represent the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration – to write music for all people, not just the aristocracy. Few other musical works have attained so much popularity by virtue of their images of nature and emotions. The two oratorios crown the Classical period and at the same provide previews of the Romantic period.